Compression of gases



Jan. 30, 1923. 1,443,550

w. WILKINSON.

COMPRESSION OF GAsEs. FILED MAR. 5, 1920.

Patented Jan. 30, 1923.

WALTER WILKINSON,

COMPANY,

OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO AIR REDUCTION INC., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

COMPRESSION OF GASES.

Application filed March 5, 1920. Serial No. 363,621.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER WILKINSON, a citizen of the United States residing at Jersey City, in the county of of New Jersey, and useful Improvements in sion of Gases; and I following to be a full, clear, scription of the invention,

Hudson, State have invented certain new the Compresdo hereby declare the and exact desuch as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to th under pressure and particular permitting compression of lubricated compressors e compression of gas for storage in containers or bottles 1y to a device gases in water and the delivery of the gas in a comparatively dry condition to the container.

Water lubricated compressors are monly employed for compressing gases,

com-

such

as oxygen which cannot be safely allowed to contact with oil when compres sed. As a result, frequent complaint is heard that the containers are partly filled with water which,

of course, decreases the oxygen capacity beside causing trouble in apparatus such regulating valves and. oxy-acetylene blowipes wherein the gas is utilized.

The difficulty experienced results from th fact that normally the compressor discharges directly to the filling stantially atmospheric up square inch as the pressure containers. At low pressures, gas carries a large from the compressor and as line, and during the fillin the pressure fluctuates from subto 2500 pounds per rises in the gas the saturated proportion of water vapor the pressure rises in the container, the capacity of the gas to retain the moisture diminishes so that water is deposited in the container.

When, however, the compressed gas is prevented from escaping from the compressor until the full pressure is developed and if this pressure is maintained, the gas belng released and fed to the filling line only when the predetermined pressure is difiicultg referred to is subst come. ried from the compressor is exeeeded, the antially overhe only moisture which can be carthat absorbed bya saturated gas at the maximum pressure,

and at 2500 pounds per square mch,

this moisture is negligible so far as the commercial utilization o the gas is concerned. The object, therefore, of the present invention is to provide a simple and dependable method and means whereby the pressure may be held constant at the compressor while it tion and Fig. 2 1s a detail in section of the valve.

The desired result is accomplished by the provision of a pressure controlling valve between the compressor and the filling line which opens to permit the passage of gas to the filling line only when the pressure on the compressor side exceeds the predetermined maximum. Such a valve may be spring pressed and of suitable form and is preferably balanced to prevent the varying pressure on the filling line side from affecting its operation. The details of the valve may vary and no attempt is made herein to illustrate more than the general form and principle of the valve together with its application, it being my intention to claim as my invention the means whereby the beneficial result described is developed.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawing, 5 indicates a water lubricated compressor which may be of any type or construction and may provide for compression in one or more stages. The compressor is provided with an intake 6 and an outlet 7 the latter oommunicating with a filling line 8 to which the containers or bottles 9 are connected.

Between the outlet 7 and the filling line 8, a valve casing 10 is arranged, the casing being provided, for example, with flanges .11 to facllitate connections. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the valve casing 10 is provided with a water trap 10 and a seat 12 between the high pressure passage 13 and the variable pressure passage 14. A valve l is adapted to engage the seat under the influence of a spring 16 resting on the valve and bearing 6 against a screw 17 adjustably mounted 1n the casing 10. The pressure at which the valve is lifted from its seat may be varied at will by adjusting the screw.

Since the pressure in. the passage 14 changes it would obviously aifect the operation of the valve 15, unless prevented. T 0 overcome the effect of the varying pressure, the valve 15 is provided with a stem 18 extending through a stufiing box 19 and carrying a piston 20 having an area equivalent to that of the face of the valve 15 which is exposed to the pressure in the passage 14. The piston 20 is dis osed in a cylinder 21 and the space 22 within the cylinder and beneath the piston communicates through a pipe 23 with the passage 14. Thus the pressure in the space 22 is always equal to that in the passage 14, and the valve 15 will open at the predetermined pressure regardless of the pressure in the fillin line. The space 24 above the piston is pre erably connected to the intake of the compressor to return any gas leaking past the piston, but it must be borne in mind that the pressure on the upper face of the piston must remain constant, unless pistons of different sizes are provided to ensure a balanced valve under the changed condition.

The mode of operation of the invention should be readily understood. The spring 16, being adjusted to apply the desired pressure to the valve 15, the compressor is started and builds up the pressure until it overcomes the tension of the spring and lifts the valve. Gas then flows into the filling line, but only so long as the pressure is maintained on the comprewor side. If the pres sure drops for any reason, the valve closes until the pressure again builds up in the compressor. Thus the gas escapes from the compressor where it contacts with water only at a pressure which precludes the conveyance of any considerable quantity of water as vapor therefrom, and when the gas passes the valve and its pressure decreases, it is no longer in contact with water which might be taken up at the lower pressure. The gas enters the containers therefor, in a substantially dry condition, a result which is highly desirable and overcomes an objectionable feature of compressed gas as heretofore known.

\ Various changes may obviously be made 'n the structural details as Well as in the mode of applying the invention without departing from the spirit thereof.

claim:

1. A method of compressing gases which comprises subjecting the gas to compression 6.? in contact with water and limiting the amount of water absorbed by the gas by maintaining a predetermined and maximum pressure at the outlet from the compressor and permitting the escape of gas to a region of variable pressure only when the predetermined pressure at the outlet is exceeded.

2. In an apparatus for compressing and storing gases, the combination of .a waterlubricated compressor, a variable pressure filling line communicating therewith and means between said compressor and filling line to maintain a predetermined pressure in the former and to permit gas to escape to the latter only when said pressure is exceeded.

3. In an apparatus for compressing and storing gases, the combination of a Water lubricated compressor, a variable pressure filling line communicating therewith and a spring pressed valve disposed between said compressor and filling line to prevent escape of gas to the latter only when a predetermined premure is exceeded in the former.

4. In an apparatus for compressing and storing ases, the combination of a compressor, a fi ling line communicating therewith, a spring pressed valve disposed between said compressor and filling line to prevent escape of gas to the latter only when a predetermined premure is exceeded in the former and means for balancing the pressure exerted by the gas on the filling line side of said valve.

5. In an apparatus for com ressing and storing gases, the combination 0 a water lubricated compressor, a filling line communieating therewith and means for controlling the passage of gas to the filling line including a casing having high and variable pressure passages, a valve seat between the pas- 105 sages and a spring pressed valve adapted to engage the seat. y

In an apparatus for compressing and storing gases, the combination of a water lubricated compressor, a filling line commu- 11c nicating therewith and means for controlling the passage of gas to the filling line including a casing havinghigh and variable pressure passages, a valve seat between the passages, a spring pressed valve adapted to 115 engage the seat, a cylinder, a piston in the cylinder and connected to the valve, and means connecting the cylinder to the variable pressure passage- In an apparatus of the character described, a controlling device comprising a casing having high and variable pressure passages, a valve seat between the passages, a valve adapted to engage the seat, a spring engaging said valve, means for ad- 12-5 justing the tension of said spring and means for balancing the pressure of the gas in the variable pressure passage.

n an apparatus of the character dea controlling device comprising a 134 scribe casing having high and variable pressure a piston in the cylinder and connected to 1 passages, a valve seat between the passages, the valve and communicating means between a valve adapted to engage the seat, a spring the cylinder and the variable pressure pas- 10 engaging said valve, means for adjusting the sage.

5 tension of said spring and means for bal- In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

ancing the pressure of the gas in the variable pressure passage including a cylinder, WALTER WILKINSON. 

